Gotland class submarine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 HMS Gotland |
|
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Kockums |
| Operators: |  Swedish Navy |
| Preceded by: | Västergötland |
| Succeeded by: | Södermanland |
| Planned: | 3 |
| Completed: | 3 |
| Active: | HMS Gotland HMS Uppland HMS Halland |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 1494 tonnes (Surfaced) 1599 tonnes (Submerged) |
| Length: | 60.4m |
| Beam: | 6.2m |
| Draft: | 5.6m |
| Propulsion: | 2 × Diesel-electric MTU engines 2 × Kockums v4-275R Sterling AIP units |
| Speed: | 11 knots surfaced 20 knots Submerged |
| Complement: | 18 Officers 6 Conscripts |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
CSU 90-2 Integrated sonar sensor suite |
| Armament: | 4 × 533mm Tubes 2 × 400mm Tubes |
The Gotland class attack submarines of the Swedish Navy are modern diesel-electric submarines. They are the first submarines in the world to feature a Stirling engine air-independent propulsion (AIP) system, which extends their underwater endurance from a few days to about a month.[1] This capability had previously only been available with nuclear powered submarines.
Contents |
[edit] Features
As of 2008 the Gotland-class attack submarine is one of the most modern submarines of the Swedish Navy in service, mainly designed for submarine missions such as anti-shipping operations, ASW-missions, forward surveillance, special operations and mine-laying tasks.[1]
It is a non-nuclear vessel running on an Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system with low signatures, extreme shock resistance and a powerful combat system. Together with other features this results in a submarine able to carry out the missions listed above.[1]
Automation and computerized steering allow a single operator to steer the submarine in depth and course. Only a small crew is required, leading to good accommodation standards and low operating costs[1]
[edit] Units
| Ship name | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Service | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMS Gotland | 10 October 1992 | 2 February 1995 | 1996 | 1st Submarine Flotilla | Active |
| HMS Uppland | 14 January 1994 | 8 February 1995 | 1996 | 1st Submarine Flotilla | Active |
| HMS Halland | 21 October 1994 | 27 September 1996 | 1996 | 1st Submarine Flotilla | Active |
[edit] Lease to the United States Navy
In 2004, the Swedish government received a request from the United States of America to lease HMS Gotland – Swedish-flagged, commanded and manned, for a duration of one year for use in anti-submarine warfare exercises. The Swedish government granted this request in October 2004, with both navies signing a memorandum of understanding on March 21, 2005.[2][3] The lease was extended for another 12 months in 2006.[4][5][6]
HMS Gotland managed to snap several pictures of the USS Ronald Reagan during a wargaming exercise in the Pacific Ocean, effectively "sinking" the aircraft carrier.[7] The exercise was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the US Fleet against diesel-electric submarines, which some have noted as severely lacking.[8][9]
In July 2007, HMS Gotland departed San Diego for Sweden.[10]
[edit] Gallery
 HMS Gotland onboard M/V Eide Transporter in San Diego. |
 HMS Gotland transits through San Diego Harbor with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) following close behind during the “Sea and Air Parade” held as part of Fleet Week San Diego 2005. |
[edit] See also
- Type 212 submarine The latest class of the German Navy with AIP.
- A26 (submarine) The next generation of Swedish submarines equipped with Stirling engines.
- Project 667 Lada The latest Russian conventional submarine featuring AIP
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d "The Gotland class submarine - submerged several weeks". Kockums. http://www.kockums.se/submarines/gotland.html. Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
- ^ "US Navy Leasing Swedish Gotland-Class Submarine". Deagel. http://www.deagel.com/news/US-Navy-Leasing-Swedish-Gotland-Class-Submarine_n000000395.aspx. Retrieved on 2004-11-05.
- ^ United States Navy (2005-03-23). U.S., Swedish Navies Sign Agreement to Bilaterally Train on State-of-the-Art Sub. Press release. http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=17621.
- ^ "US Navy to continue hunt for Swedish sub". The Local. 2006-04-18. http://www.thelocal.se/article.php?ID=3574. Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
- ^ Kockums AB (2006-06-13). Gotland extends US stay for another year. Press release. http://www.kockums.se/news/060613gotland.html. Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
- ^ Kockums AB (2007-05-09). HMS Gotland’s Stirling propulsion system basis of success in the USA. Press release. http://www.kockums.se/news/070509gotland.html.
- ^ "Pentagon: New Class Of Silent Submarines Poses Threat". KNBC. 2006-10-19. http://www.knbc.com/news/10116514/detail.html?rss=la&psp=news. Retrieved on 2006-07-21.
- ^ Polmar, Norman (March 2006). "Back to the Future". U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings 132 (3): 22–23. 0041-798X.
- ^ "US Navy Struggles to Recapture, Keep ASW Proficiency". The Nav Log. http://navlog.org/asw_feb06.html. Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
- ^ "SSK Gotland Class (Type A19) Attack Submarine, Sweden". Naval Technology. http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/gotland/. Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
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